him to indulge still more unrestrainedly in the they cease to be our masters; for, when the emdark hatred that devoured him. Greatly was the old woman relieved when the announcement of this fact elicited no remark; and, clasping her hands, and crossing herself, she gave utterance to the joy she felt at sight of her son once more. "At least," she exclaimed, "I shall not die like a dog, without kin or kith by my side, to see me off on the long journey." "Are you sure I shall mourn you?" said the young man, sternly. The old woman groaned aloud. "No, no!" she said, "that you will not; and yet I meant it all so well." peror catches them, don't you see, what will he do?-hang them by the dozen, like berries, on the trees, and confiscate their lands! And, who 'll do robot then? If we be true and stanch men, we 'll do it no longer. The emperor, to reward our fidelity, will remove it altogether!" "But if we side with our masters," said a peasant, "they say they 'll give it up also." "And you believe them, Zdenko ? But don't you see the thing is a stupidity on the face of it? The emperor will give it up, because he has never profited by it. It is as if Michel was giving away Joseph's house-well, he does it without caring; but it is another question if Joseph could make up his mind to part with it. We don't till the em But now, if But loneliness has something so dreadful, especially when stretched on the bed of death, that she was grateful for seeing his gloomy face over-peror's lands, nor lend him our cattle; be you shadowing her threshold―glad to hear his unkind voice. Besides, he was seldom alone. He had now become an important man in his village, was looked up to by the peasants, and sought after with an eagerness which showed what reliance they placed upon his talents and energy. He was their spokesman on all occasions; and his evenings were invariably devoted to the public-house. The neighbors, who had always fled old Jakubska's dirty cottage and despised self—who, like Pavel, had considered her at one time nothing better than a witch, and who had then disliked her son for his mopish habits-now flocked around her bed of an evening, to keep her company during his absence, and to sing his praise. So unstable is the current of human opinion, now running joyously in the direction whence it receded but a short time before. One afternoon, the peasantry of Stanoiki were reunited in greater numbers than on any former occasion, in and around a large barn, belonging to one of the more opulent of the villagers. Indeed, not only all the available men of that part, but the leading tenants of the estate generally were there. Many, too, had come from a distance; delegates, it would seem, from other domains, eager to show their sympathy with the popular cause. Pavel was, as usual, the spokesman; and though what he said was but simple, it suited the comprehension of his auditors. "The thing for us to consider," he said, "is this. We must take a decided part on one side or the other. This neutrality cannot last. We all know that we have nothing good to expect from our masters-experience of the past has sufficienty shown that; whereas the emperor has no laws but such as have conduced, more or less, to the bettering of our lot. Therefore, we resolve to remain faithful to the emperor. Do we not ?" "Why, we prove it daily," said one of the peasants. "You do nothing against him," resumed Pavel, "and he cannot punish you. Very well. But there the matter ends, you have no profit; whereas, if you stood by him, you would merit reward, and, doubtless, obtain it. The moment our lords are rebels, they are without the pale of the law sure that makes a great difference. The tremendous applause which this speech elicited, proved that it had found its way to the understanding and feelings of the listeners. The stamping of feet and the clapping of hands were drowned in their loud vociferations; and the affrighted wolves scampered over the plain as they heard in the distance the yells of their foe-tribe more dreadful than their own. That cry reached, too, the ears of Duski, who was at that moment entering the village, to collect men and horses for the following morning, for the purpose of breaking the ice on a small pond not far off, and transporting it to the castle cellars; and, judging by the uproar that there must be many gathered together, he made in the direction whence the sound proceeded, wondering in his heart what could have given rise to so exuberant an expression of joy. He had not proceeded many paces, when he encountered a party of stragglers from the barn; and, stopping, he ordered them upon that service. But, with the formal declaration that they considered the robot at an end, now and forever, and that they would henceforth recognize no other authority but that of their lord the emperor, who knew how to pun ish traitors, the peasants, one and all, refused to from view, a new current was given to his obey. Duski, for a moment stunned by this un- thoughts. expected announcement, soon rallied, and stormed 66 look very ugly hereabouts. with yourself and family as soon as may be; and as to the count, it 's no concern of yours-they are no friends of yours, that I know of." Ha! I am an old fool, an owl, a silly old and threatened in his usual abusive and violent man! So I am, in truth, to care about you or manner. But the serfs no longer listened with your lady-mother. After all, matters begin to the downcast eyes and heaving breasts of men At best, the emperor whose resentment is kept down by fear; but met confiscates the estates; and then, Duski, what his menacing looks with looks as stern; and Dus- will become of you, in the midst of a mob that ki, alone, and unarmed, began to cast about him hates you? You had better, I think, make off anxious glances for some means of retreat. No issue was free, however. Men, women, and children hemmed him in; and the scythes, pitchforks, and flails in the hands of the former, showed him The countess, as usual, had contrived to wound that they were not without hostile intentions. His mortally the steward's wife and daughters-havconscience, roused in this hour of danger, whis- ing sneered at their pretensions to accomplishments, pered how little he had done to merit their good-bought very dear by them at a fashionable boardwill-how much he had done to excite their hatred; ing-school in a provincial town, and prized accordand, silent and abashed, he stood trembling in the midst of them, revolving in his craven mind in what manner to soften their present exasperation. Suddenly, a bright thought occurred to him; and, raising his head, with an air of animation, he said, “Well, my friends, you ought to tell this to your lord, not to me. Shall I go and tell him? He cannot now bring troops from Lemberg, to compel you, since it is his turn to dread them." "We don't want you. We mean to tell him ourselves!" shouted one of the men. "That bait won't take, master steward." ingly-and having cast on them those peculiar glances of which she had the secret, and which made her as many enemies as there were persons on whom they fell. Duski remembered her manner, and that of her son; and it overbalanced, in his estimation, all the real grounds for gratitude which should have warmed his heart in the interest of those whose bread he had eaten for yearsthrough inordinate profits upon whose revenues he had been able to enjoy so many advantages. Not the spotless life of the countess-her piety, patriotism, maternal affection—nothing pleaded in favor of the proud woman; and Duski left her to her fate, retracing his way homeward with all speed, to prepare for immediate flight. "To the castle! to the castle!" vociferated the peasants, catching at the idea suggested by their companion. And the movement in the crowd, Meanwhile, the cavalcade, with Casimir at its consequent upon the momentary excitement, en- head, pursued their way towards the village. abled Duski to turn his horse's head, and make They had nearly reached it, when, crossing a field, off with himself at full speed; nor did he draw and coming directly towards them, they observed rein until he had almost cleared the space betwixt a large body of men, who, from the weapons they the village and the chateau. But, as he was about bore-for the sun played upon the broad blades to turn from the bank of the river, up a small road of the scythes-were evidently bent on some imleading to the latter, a troop of young men, with portant work. Casimir was the first to perceive Casimir at their head, came galloping towards him, them. The moment he did so, he exclaimedin such excitement that they evidently were not "Here they are; already on the march ! conscious of his presence till they were close upon | We'll head them, and proceed at once to him. There is nothing like striking the iron whilst it is "You here, Duski?" said Casimir, drawing hot. The town is small-utterly unpreparedup the moment he saw the steward. "You and, in our hands, might be turned to some advanshould be down at the mine, or in the village, tage. In war, as in everything else, il n'y a que doing your best to arm the people and get them le premier pas qui conte. Seize but upon two such ready." towns-report will make them twenty; and the "Arm-arm the people!" faltered Duski. rest will surrender at discretion. Now for it!"Against whom?" To the work; and be eloquent!" "Against whom! why, against the German foe, The next instant the two bands met and halted. of course-against the oppressor! Pshaw! You It was a strange contrast-that gallant little band, are but an old fool, after all. We must look to with their Polish caps of crimson and silver, this matter ourselves, gentlemen. Let us lose jauntily set on their perfumed locks—their elegant no time prating with this silly old man. On-forms and trim mustaches-their mettled steeds, on! We must get into the field, cost what it English riding-whips in the well-gloved hand— may!" And, giving the spur to his willing their silver-mounted pistols, in holsters lined with brute, he resumed his headlong course over the crimson cloth; and that close, compact body of plain. men, wrapped in sheep-skins, that seemed to inDuski remained rooted to the spot. His first crease the clumsy, heavy appearance of the wearintention had been to warn the general of the dis-ers-their weapons, attributes of Ceres rather than ordered state of the village; but, as he looked Mars, all dreadful as they are, in such hands— after the gallant little band, now fast receding their habitually listless, melancholy look, ex appeal. "Save Poland," said Casimir, " and we 'll see about satisfying your desires." changed for one of savage brutality, which dis- robot, and the emperor,” was their answer to every figured the mouth with harsh lines, and lighted the eyes with malignant fires. Involuntarily the mind of the beholder reverted to the wild animal when roused. Their hair seemed to bristle, their eyes to glare, as they shook themselves, ready for the combat. "Will you, though?" said an aged man, placing himself before Pavel, who was again about to speak. "Who would not grant us schools? Who let us grow up like cattle, that we might be driven like them? We know as well as you do, and have not forgotten it in our hearts. We know what we are to expect if you again become masters of the country. I remember the day—I was young then-when we were not merely serfs-we were slaves. It was not then as now-a fixed time for labor, and a safe existence. We belonged to you at all times and hours, by day and by night. Then, we were obliged to march in your feuds, and perish without knowing why or wherefore. You not only beat us, but you hanged us. We had no sense-no thought; we were but your tools. Who abolished all this?—the emperor. I remember how our masters railed and fumed at the time, and how they continued to hang us before they could be taught to leave it off." Casimir addressed them with a short but energetic appeal to their patriotism, and their zeal for his house, which had raised the banner of Poland. His father, he said, had sent him, his only son, into the struggle. Let them follow the example of their lord; and let the fathers bring their gray hair, and their youngest-born their fair locks, into the field for their country! True patriot was he alone who would shed his heart's best blood on the altar of his country. Up against Austria! Let them clip the eagle's talons that had torn them asunder, and blunt his beak, that was red with the gore of their fathers! Their brothers in Posen had risen. In Cracow-in Warsaw-they were on the eve of breaking forth; and Poland, like a mighty stream, divided for a time by intervening obstacles, would again reünite in one broad sheet. Let them follow him now, as they stood there- "They but executed the law as it then stood," with no other arms-no more preparation; and replied Casimir. "Whether judged by the trihe would lead them on at once to victory and honor.bunal of the empire or ours, what matters it to the "Come!" he concluded, my faithful friends, offenders?" follow your lord and leader." 66 66 Long life to the emperor!" shouted the vassals, with one voice, in stentorian accents. "Long life to the Austrian eagle! It is not his talons that have scraped up our sowings, and destroyed our saplings; not his bill that has devoured us. We know our foes from our friends. No robot now, or ever! No robot! No more oppression! The emperor, and no robot! Long live the emperor !" "And Poland!" exclaimed Casimir, with impetuosity; "ye false knaves and cowards!-your mother-country- 66 "Has given us no father," said Pavel, standing forth; nothing but masters. We and our fathers have toiled for you centuries. We have borne your blows; but we will not fight, be fined, imprisoned, hung, for you! Say I not well, my men?" "Schools, and no robot!-Hurrah for the emperor, and for old Stepan; and may he live to see the last serf, as he saw the last slave!" "Insolent knaves!" said Casimir, stung to madness at being thus bearded by his father's peasantry before his friends. "Beasts! follow me this instant, or some of you shall pay dearly for your disobedience!" "None here will follow you," said Pavel, striding up to the horse's head, and laying his hand on the bridle. At this insult every drop of blood forsook the cheek of the young nobleman. He tore a pistol from his holster, and, without even taking aim, fired. The ball grazed Pavel's hand, which let go the rein, and, slightly glancing, lodged deep in the breast of old Stepan, who instantly fell a corpse. "Down with them!-Spare none!" shouted Pavel. "If you are men, leave not one alive! They are traitors and rebels!" The most prudent of the young men now turned their horses' heads in the direction of the castle, forcing Casimir along with them, in spite of his protestations. Stones flew after them; but, being well mounted, they distanced the peasants without Loud and prolonged acclamations succeeded difficulty. They rode some distance before Casithese words. 66 mir's coolness and reflection returned, when he Long live the emperor! No robot !-We'll was overwhelmed by the vehement reproaches of stand to that with our lives!" 66 "Recreants!" shouted a youth, displaying a red and white standard, which he had hitherto kept furled; look at this glorious banner, the colors of Poland-the colors that floated over Ostrolenko, and many a bloody field besides-the colors for which Kosciusko bled!" his friends. To his rashness and want of temper they attributed their signal failure, which, they said, might extend the spirit of insubordination into wider circles; and, in order to prevent so great a calamity, it was unanimously determined that each should ride off in a different direction, to endeavor, by his presence, to preserve order. It was thought But the peasants remained inflexible. "No best that Casimir, against whom there was so much ill-will, should return and inform the count of what had happened. Accordingly, with a hasty adieu, he set spurs to his horse, and, just as the light was beginning to wane, entered the courtyard of the chateau. He found his mother alone in the drawing-room, sitting in her arm-chair beside the window, looking over the bleak prospect that extended before her. "Thank God! Casimir, you are come back at last!" she said. "I know not why, but I feel anxious." "It is with sitting in this gloomy twilight," replied Casimir. "Where is my father?" 66 66 Oh, you know to-day he cannot be seen." Ay, but I must see him though. I don't like the looks of the peasantry-they refuse to march." "I have sent away Maricia for the priest," she said, in a husky tone. It is lucky you dropped in, Pavel; I shall at least take leave of you." “You !—why?—wherefore?" said Pavel, almost unconsciously. "Because I am dying," the old woman said, with a painful effort. "Don't you see how fast I am going?" 66 Dying!" said Pavel. "Going fast?-No!" he exclaimed, like one awakening from a troubled dream; "no; it cannot be! I must first speak with you." "Ha! ha ha! as if death would wait for that. I never thought to laugh at such a time. But hand me some spirits-there are some left in that flask yonder. I know it is wrong just now, but the priest will set it all right, by and by; and "Heaven will turn their hearts," replied the you'll have masses said for my soul," she added, countess. The servants entered to place the lamps, having prepared everything for the announcement of dinner, no longer a regular meal at the castle, since political agitation had invaded every breast. The sight of Stepan's lifeless body inflamed the peasants to such a pitch that, had not the party ridden off, they would have executed summary vengeance on the spot; but against their young count they were most vindictive. coaxingly, "won't you? for I have been a good mother to you all along, and ever meant it kindly, that I did. Thank you; the dram has revived me. I wanted to make a count of you, and had well nigh succeeded; but the countess ruined all. But then, when one comes to meet death face to face, how to carry a lie and a fraud with one into the grave! And then, there 's confession and absolution. Where can the priest tarry so long, I won der?" "We must get him into our hands, dead or "Yes-yes!" said Pavel, eagerly interrupting alive!" they shouted, moving forward, as if about her, "this is surely the time when all scales to proceed direct to the chateau; but Pavel re- should fall from blinded eyes; and truth-truth strained them. They would not leave old Stepan's alone should well from the lips. Woman!-thou corpse lying like a dog in a ditch ?-they would who art on the point of leaving this world, and carry him home to his family? But so exasper- hast nothing more to fear or to hope here belowated were the peasants, and so thoroughly roused thou who art already a stranger on earth-I imwithin them was the instinctive taste for blood, plore thee to reveal the whole truth to me! Never inherent in all savage, untaught natures, that it mind the consequences. Neither great nor small was not an easy task to stay them. Pavel, always shall have power over thee one hour hence. Speak so bold, now faint-hearted! He, who ever urged the truth-I know it-I feel it here," striking his them forward, retreat in the hour of trial! They breast-" here, in my inmost heart. Thou art could scarce credit their senses; and the words not-thou never couldst be-my mother." "traitor-villain-castle-spy!" were flung at him. Unfeeling, ambitious boy!' !" murmured the But he opposed so calm a front to those who threat-old woman, " to deny me at my last hour. Holy ened, that the greater part cried "Shame!" and Virgin! thou hearest him-to deny his dying forced them to desist. With the inconstancy of thought peculiar to mobs, of whatever kind, the suggestion of carrying old Stepan back to his village was now acted upon; and Pavel, suffering none to detain him, availed himself of the opportunity thus obtained to fly to his cottage, and, rushing in with breathless haste, approached the old woman's bed. 66 66 mother!" Pavel covered his face with his hands, and groaned aloud. "Oh, Pavel!" continued Jakubska, feebly, once once only-let me press your hand to my heart-to my lips. Come and lay your head but once close by mine. Let me feel your hair-place my hand on your head. I have not done so since you lay on my breast a helpless infant. It cannot make any difference So absorbed was he in the one feeling of that now. I cannot trouble you any more. Oncehour, that he did not perceive the change that had only oncee-let me feel that I have a son." come over her. Her fallen features-her glassy Pavel flung himself on his knees beside the bed, eyes the earthy tints in her face-the spasmodic and ejaculated passionately-" I will be more than clutchings of her feeble hand-everything escaped a son to you if you but own the truth-the whole him. He did not perceive that Jakubska's hour was come. He had given her his last farthing that morning, and the empty bottle by her bed-side proved how she had profited by the indulgence to shorten her fast-expiring lease of life-but Pavel heeded it not. truth. Say but these words, I am not your mother!' Have you not had all my earnings, such as they were? Have I ever kept anything for myself beyond the strictest necessaries? Have I ever thwarted or ill-treated you? Have I not protected you against the brutality of others?" "Yes yes! You have done all that—-more than sons do in the general way; but I had rather you had robbed me, beat me, and called me 'mother.'" "And you will reveal nothing, even at this awful time?" "I take the Virgin to witness, I have nothing to reveal. But, Pavel," said the old woman, in tones every moment becoming weaker, "call me 'mother;' once-only once!" Pavel sprang to his feet, and bending over the wizened, shrunken form, he said in a hollow whisper Nothing," murmured the woman, in a feeble voice; "I take all the angels to witness-nothing but your master. Your father lies in the village cemetery beside your brothers, and where I would you laid me too. Pavel, one word more." But Pavel had turned from the bed, and was striding towards the ladder that led upwards to the loft where he usually slept. "Pavel, the saints preserve you! leave me at a time like this?" Can you "Silence, woman! The fiends are with menot the saints," said Pavel, in a hoarse whisper. The old woman fell back, speechless, on her bed, keeping her eyes fixed upon the hole through which her son had vanished. He soon reäppeared. A straightened scythe was on his shoulder; in his broad belt was a long double-edged hunting knife; and an old pistol, a gift of Noah's, peeped from his bosom. As he descended the ladder, his face was disfigured by a demoniacal expression. tively put in the priest. Heaven inspires him! Come, my son; let me put the seal of grace on you." 66 "Thank you, good father," said Pavel, rather fiercely. I am afraid you mistake altogether my mission." "I saw the peasants assembled just now at the head of the village; and, to my inquiries, they answered they were awaiting further instructions -a banner, I suppose, from the castle." "Ay-ay!" said Pavel, impetuously, "we seek our banner there. I have no time to lose; nor you either, good father, in shriving your penitent." So saying, he unceremoniously pushed by the priest, and left the cottage. No sooner did he reach his companions than he exclaimed "Now is the time, my friends! To the castle! Bind the rebels and our task-masters! Burn their proud dwellings, and break their proud hearts! Let those who love the emperor, and hate the robot, follow me!" And placing himself at their head, by the side of Stepan's son, a well-armed, savagelooking giant, the whole party moved on in the direction of the chateau. It was the anniversary of Vanda's death—a day which the general was in the habit of consecrating to her memory. He had that morning visited her grave, and afterwards retired to his own apartment -once hers-where he spent many hours, calling to mind her gentle virtues and devoted affection, the loss of which had left a void in his life that nothing, not even the pride he took in his son, could replace. For something there was-he could not say what, unless it were the spirit of the mother in the child-that had stood between his heart and Casimir's, from the cradle. It was nothing that could estrange a parent's affection, but something that checked the unrestrained flow of confidence. The boy had looked up to him with respect, but his mother had been his friend; and the general's life-so full of all the nameless joys of a happy home, during the lifetime of her whose death every passing day taught him to lament more bitterly-had been, since that event, inconceivably to himself, spent amid the hollow, vapid pleasures of society, from which he was averse from habit and taste, and in which his mind could find no food until politics absorbed it. Plunged as he was each year, at this epoch, in the same reflections, to-day they came home to his At that instant, a middle-aged man entered the heart with the force of the first anniversary of his room, whose costume betrayed his calling. "Pavel!" cried the woman, roused by terror from the lethargy that was stealing on her"Pavel, you are not going to kill your own mother?" "No!" said Pavel, with a sickening smile; "but, perhaps, I am about to do as hellish a deed! If I do, it's your fault, though. Ha! Here, in good time, comes the priest. I leave him with you; he will know better how to console and assist you at this moment than I." "I see," said he," you are arming in the good cause, my son. Detain him not, woman! Every Pole, whatever be his degree, owes his blood to his country. The blessing of Heaven, and of our holy mother the church, rests on the good patriot. Come here, my son; kneel, and receive my blessing and let me bless your arms, too, that they may prove a lance and a shield to you." bereavement-perhaps from a consciousness that he was engaged on such courses as might soon lead him to a speedy reünion with her he loved. He recalled Vanda in her early bloom, when he first conceived for her an attachment that for many years had been hopeless. Though they had known and loved each other from childhood, the day on which they acknowledged a new, a tenderer sentiment, seemed to him that on which they were first Pavel, stay with me," faintly murmured the acquain.ed. He took, from a small reading-desk, dying woman. her portrait, which had been painted at that epoch. "Detain him not from his mission," authorita- Alas! the miniature had lost but little of its pris |